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CampaignsHunter Community Environment Centre has a home... stay tuned.HCEC now has a somewhat permanent home, and we are in the process of renovating it, so that we can reboot to provide a place for Newcastle and Hunter environmentalists to meet each other, network, share ideas and display their work. If you are interested in having a display, or attending network events, please register your interest with George: georgiefrances -- at -- yahoo -- dot -- com -- dot au more announcements will be posted on this site.
Find out about toxic sediment dredging in the Hunter RiverThe Minster for Planning approved a massive dredging operation in the South Arm of the Hunter River – adjacent to the old BHP site – Now, BHP want the dredging to happen to make way for the third coal terminal.
The project has altered substantially since first approved, and the Minister is considering significant modifications without further public consultation.
submission to biobanking methodology and regulationSee attached a joint submission to the Daft Biobanking Assessment Methodology and Regulation from the Hunter Community Environment Centre and National Parks Association of NSW. January 2008. Government dilutes BHP toxic clean upMedia release 16th October, 2007 The State Government has removed conditions imposed to limit pollution that will seep into the Hunter River following dredging operations to remove contaminated sediment left behind by BHP from their former steelworks site.
The Planning Minister last month approved changes to the conditions imposed on the dredging that were designed to protect public safety and the environment.
Anvil Hill coal mine approvedThe NSW Government has taken the disppointing and cowardly decision to approve the controversial Anvil Hill coal mine proposal near Denman, just days after hundreds of people travelled to the Upper Hunter to spell out their opposition to the mine. Anvil Hill has become a focal point for the campaign to reduce NSW's contribution to climate change from export coal but has also been fiercely criticised for the massive loss of remnant woodland it will cause, and its impact on regionally important waterways. Exposed: NSW coal will run out in 35 years3rd April, 2007 The Hunter Community Environment Centre has revealed today that coal reserves in NSW could run out in less than four decades, adding to urgent calls to cease coal expansion plans in the Hunter Valley. Based on current industry growth and production rates, HCEC claims that the 10,600 million tonnes of coal under NSW will be exhausted in just 35 years. HCEC spokesperson Georgina Woods said, “NSW is currently producing 156 million tonnes of coal per year, most of which is coming out of the Hunter Valley, and 70% of which is being sold for export.” Environmental victory in Anvil Hill caseJustice Nicola Pain in the Land and Environment Court has ruled that the environmental assessment of the Anvil Hill coal mine is not adequate, as it fails to address climate change. See below for the HCEC media release on the ruling Click here to see a short video of what will be lost if the Anvil Hill mine goes ahead Link to other pages on this site about Anvil Hill and the case: Background: Save Anvil Hill September: News about the case launch October: Controversial changes to the Planning Act rushed through by the State Government to thwart the case November: State Government misleading the public about Planning law changes November: Summary of submissions to the Anvil Hill environmental assessment Summary of the legal and political implications of the court ruling
------------- UPDATE: Government passes controversial planning lawUpdate: 23rd November. The State Government last night passed controversial changes to the Planning Act, that have been fiercely opposed by environment groups... The NSW opposition joined the Greens and Democrats voting against the amendment Bill, which further expanded the already sweeping powers of the Planning Minister. However, they (the Opposition) did not support important amendments put forward by the Greens. Regional Conservation Plan open for commentThe community recently had opportunity to comment on the Draft Regional Conservation Plan for the Lower Hunter. The Plan announced the creation of 17,000 ha of new public reserves, (not the 20,000 ha claimed in Government media releases) and foreshadows the addition of another 12,000 hectares of public reserves from private land once "trade-offs" have been finalised. To see the HCEC submission to the RCP, click here. Go the the DEC website www.environment.nsw.gov.au and click the link to the new Lower Hunter National Parks on the right to download your own copy of the RCP and see the accompanying map. 
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 Popular contentRandom Quote“Coal is King in the Port of Newcastle” (Australia is the biggest exporter of black coal in the world, and Newcastle’s current contribution is about a third of the nation’s total – amounting to 225 million tonnes of carbon dioxide after burning.) |
